The history of Molise Italy is important to me, as my 3rd great grandmother Beatrice Capece Piscicelli was the Duchess of Capracotta ( Cooked Sheep ), which lies in Molise. Towards the end of the seventeenth century, the family acquired the fief of Capracotta and King Charles of Bourbon, in October 1674, conferred on Andrea Capece Piscicelli, the title of Duke of Capracotta, a title that several years later, following the inevitable feudal events that saw the continuous alternation of families in the ownership of the feuds, was again granted to the nephew, Giuseppe Capece Piscicelli.The last Duke of Capracotta who carried the surname Capece Piscicelli, was Antonio (+ 1839) who died without heirs. Following the marriage, celebrated in 1804, of his sister Beatrice with Giacomo Piromallo ( My third great grandparents ), the title of Duke of Capracotta moved into this family (for awards obtained in 1887 and 1891), whose descendants, at present, reside in Rome. The Duke of Capracotta possessed many flocks (in 1700 the duke and duchess of Capracotta censored respectively 14.900 and 6.900 sheep) that from the Molise village descended to winter in the Tavoliere fiscal lands.  From 1690 to over 1760, the name of the Duke and Duchess of Capracotta was registered among the major leases of the Customsof Foggia.  The ducal palace was located in the present Stanislaus Falconi square.  This dwelling, however, was never the residence of the family, which used to entrust the administration of its assets to a governor or treasury, normally chosen among the members of the most eminent families of Capracotta.Mariangela de Riso, wife of Duke Carlo, was the only one to stay there, even for short vacation periods, who furnished the interior with many fine pieces of furniture.  Part of the ducal palace was donated by de Riso, along with other assets, to Dr. Diego di guarantee, his administrator at that time.  The remaining part was purchased, in 1854, by Capracottese Stanislao Falconi, who left it to his son Federico.The heirs of the latter, the Greek, sold it to the Municipality of Capracotta which made it the seat of the current Town Hall. Stemma Piromallo Capece Piscicelli Click to Join Italian Genealogy on Facebook Situated on a rocky crest rising between the Carpino and the Sordo rivers, the Italian province of Isernia in the Molise region has one of the oldest recorded histories in Italy. The area of Isernia was settled at least 700,000 years ago and the nearby site known as La Pineta has been cited in Science magazine as the most ancient site where traces of use of fire by humans have been found. The plan of Isernia still reflects the ancient layout of the Roman town, with a central wide street called the cardo maximus still represented by Corso Marcelli, and side streets at right angles on both sides. The area was founded three centuries before the birth of Christ by the Samnites, a warrior tribe of original Italian people that ruled the Abruzzi-Molise region of Italy. The first recorded mention of the area occurs in 295 BCE, at which time it had already fallen into the hands of the Romans. Its name, Aesernia, most likely derives from the Roman word aeser, meaning “water.” Aesernia became a key communication center between southern Italy and the inner Appennine Regions. This colony is again mentioned in 209 BCE as one of the eighteen which remained faithful to Rome at the most trying period of the Second Punic War. During the war the city adhered to the Roman cause, and was gallantly defended against the Samnite general Vettius Scato, by Marcus Claudius Marcellus. Yet after a long protracted siege, it was compelled by famine to surrender in 90 BCE. Aesernia was once again restored to glory when it nearly became a colony of Julius Caesar, and again of Augustus. Although it never officially enjoyed the rank of a colony, it appears from inscriptions to have been a municipal town of some importance in the time of Trajan and the Antonines. To this period belong the remains of an aqueduct and a fine Roman bridge, still visible to this day. As if it was plagued from the start, Isernia suffered destruction numerous times in history, as it was destroyed by the Saracens in 800, sacked by the Count of Molise in 1199, and set on fire in 1223 by the soldiers of Frederick II. It was not until 1519 that it was freed from feudal servitude by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and became a city in the Kingdom of Naples. Mother Nature has also taken a toll on Isernia, as earthquakes in 847, 1349, 1456 and 1805 caused massive devastation. Ruin fell upon Isernia once again on the morning of September 10, 1943, during World War II, when bombs were launched over a crowded town on market day causing thousands of deaths. Although having suffered repeated destruction, Isernia preserves a large number of historical remains that are worth a visit. The famous Fontana Fraterna, the town’s main symbol, was built in the 13th century and is made up of stone’s slabs from ruined Roman monuments. The monument is dedicated to Pope Celestine V, a native son. Some other sites of interest are the Palazzo San Francesco, a monumental Gothic construction that now houses the Town Hall, and the Museo Santa Maria delle Monache, on the site of the former Romanesque Convent of Santa Maria Assunta, where prehistoric remains of Paleolithic origin are conserved. The remains were discovered in the neighboring town of La Pineta, an archaeological site of international importance that bears the remains of an ancient Paleolithic settlement from more than 730,000 years ago. The site contains thousands of bones and stone tools and was discovered in 1979 by an amateur naturalist. The site was clearly created by humans, but its purpose is still unknown. Isernia boasts the important shrine of the Santuario della Madonna Addolorata di Castelpetroso, now standing on the site where, in 1888, the Virgin Mary reputedly appeared to two milkmaids. In the Neo-Gothic style, it is made up of seven chapels, representing the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin, that surround the Sanctuary’s centerpiece, a 177-foot high dome. Italian Tribune July 13th 2014

Since my previous post of bride’s photos went over so well, I decided to post Vintage Italian Family Photos.  These photos come from my dad’s family.  I am testing a new feature throughout that allows you to like, share and comment to Facebook from the post.  Please share with your friends that may be interested. My 9th Great Grandfather Prince Marino Caracciolo c 1630.  Prince of Avellino, Duke of Atripalda, Marchese di Sanseverino, Count of Serino and Knight of the Golden Fleece.  Bob Sorrentino I have no titles as of yet. The photos below are new additions. They were sent by my grandmother to her father in Italy c1919. This year I met my dad’s first cousins in Italy and my cousin Nicola found these among his mother’s old photos. To learn more about my research, interesting stories and how to start your research, check out my book “Farmers and Nobles” below. Join Italian Roots And Genealogy On Facebook Click the photo to purchase direct. Or purchase through Amazon Maria Luisa Piromallo My Paternal Grandmother My grandmother descends from two prominent Neapolitan families.  Piromallo and Caracciolo.  She was born in 1883 and lived on Via Carbonara. My great aunt Maria Piromallo, I think with her grandchildren. Luisa in Naples C1900 Luisa in Naples C1905 Sorrentino Family Starting Early 1900’s My grandmother with her three children and her two brothers C1913. These are my two oldest aunts and uncle with I believe their grandparents Achille Sorrentino and Giulia Princi. My grandparents in the USA C1919.  My dad was born in 1923. My dad is in the knickers!  C1934 Mom and Dad wedding C1944 C 1946 Ubaldo Sorrentino and Maria Luisa Piromallo through the years. My Dad through the years Mom’s family ( Nicoletti In the late 1940’s my dad was  photographer for the NY Daily News.  Here are just a few of his photos.   Movies from my Mom’s family C 1949 Italian Brides Research Links Origins of Italian Names

I never new about my Calabrian roots until a few years ago. We have so many posts on Calabria that we decided to put them all in one place. You’ll also find some links to great books on Amazon, including mine “Farmers and Nobles” Bookmark us so that you can some back whenever you like.

By F l a n k e r (optimized by Blackcat – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,  Piedmont, Italian Piemonte, regione(region), northwestern Italy, comprising the province(provinces) of Alessandria, Asti, Biella, Cuneo, Novara, Torino, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, and Vercelli. Piedmont Village near Vinadio, Cuneo province, Piedmont, Italy.© paokun/Shutterstock.com To the south, west, and north Piedmont is surrounded by the vast arc of the Ligurian Apennines and the Maritime, Cottian, Graian, and PennineAlps. The core of Piedmont is the Po River valley, which lies open to the east and consists of some of the best farmlands in Italy. The name piedmont(“at the foot of a mountain”) has become a term generally applied to such a region. South of the Po River are the low and intensively cultivated hills of Monferrato and of Langhe. In the foothills of the Alps are Lakes Maggiore and Orta. The Po and its tributaries, the Dora Baltea, Dora Riparia, Sesia, Tanaro, and Scrivia, provide the area with ample water for agriculture. In Roman times Piedmont was important because its passes connected Italy with the transalpine provinces of Gaul. After periods of Lombard and Frankish rule, the house of Savoy emerged as the most important feudatory of northwestern Italy. This dynasty first became powerful as successor to the marquesses of Ivrea and of Turin, but after 1400 Savoy’s control of both slopes of the Alps, ruling over what is now French Savoie and over Piedmont, gave it undisputed sovereignty over much of the region. After 1700 practically all of Piedmont passed under Savoyard domination, and the addition of Sardiniaand its territories provided still wider interests. During the Risorgimento(movement for Italian independence), Piedmont led the attempts of 1848, 1859, and 1866 to unite all of Italy, and Victor Emmanuel II, originally king of Piedmont and Sardinia, became modern Italy’s first king in 1861. The Alpine arc of Piedmont plays a vital part in the power production of the region and of northern Italy as a whole; the region’s hydroelectric plants supply energy for industry, transportation, and domestic use. The forests provide lumber, and the Alpine and sub-Alpine meadows afford excellent pasture for cattle as the base of a prosperous dairy industry. The lowlands produce wheat and rice, vegetables and fruit, and milk and cheese. The hills south of the Po River are noted for the production of some of Italy’s highest-quality wines, both of the sparkling (Asti) and still (Barbera) varieties. (The historic vineyard landscape of Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage sitein 2014.) Piedmont forms part of the great industrial triangle of northern Italy (Turin-Genoa-Milan), and its manufactures are widely diversified. Turin—the capital, largest city, and leading industrial centre—is the site of one of the largest automobile plants in Europe, as well as of printing, textile, and machine industries. Ivrea, northeast of Turin, is the headquarters of one of Europe’s leading makers of office machinery. Textiles, chemicals, and glass are among the other important Piedmontese industries. The principal rail connection between France and Italy, the Turin–Col du Mont Cenis (Mount Cenis Tunnel)–Paris line, passes through Piedmont, while to the north the Simplon Tunnel leads to Switzerland. An excellent network of roads and expressways ties all parts of the region closely together. Genoa, easily reached from Piedmont, is the region’s port. Developments in the late 20th century included an all-weather road between France and Italy, passing through a 7.3-mile (11.7-km) tunnel under Mont Blanc and thence through the Valle d’Aostato Turin and Milan. Area 9,807 square miles (25,399 square km). Pop. (2011) 4,363,916. This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen, Corrections Manager. Citation InformationArticle Title:PiedmontWebsite Name:Encyclopaedia BritannicaPublisher:Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.Date Published:19 March 2015URL:https://www.britannica.com/place/Piedmont-region-ItalyAccess Date:June 15, 2019 Click here to Join Italian Genealogy on Facebook Piedmont was inhabited in early historic times by Celtic–Ligurian tribes such as the Tauriniand the Salassi. They were later subdued by the Romans(c. 220 BC), who founded several colonies there including Augusta Taurinorum (Turin) and Eporedia(Ivrea). After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the region was successively invaded by the Burgundians, the Ostrogoths (5th century), East Romans, Lombards (6th century), and Franks(773). In the 9th–10th centuries there were further incursions by the Magyars and Saracens.[citation needed]At the time Piedmont, as part of the Kingdom of Italy within the Holy Roman Empire, was subdivided into several marches and counties. The Kingdom of Sardinia in 1856. In 1046, Oddo of Savoy added Piedmont to their main territory of Savoy, with a capital at Chambéry (now in France). Other areas remained independent, such as the powerful comuni(municipalities) of Asti and Alessandriaand the marquisates of Saluzzo and Montferrat. The County of Savoy was elevated to a duchy in 1416, and Duke Emanuele Filiberto moved the seat to Turin in 1563. In 1720, the Duke of Savoy became King of Sardinia, founding what evolved into the Kingdom of Sardiniaand increasing Turin’s importance as a European capital. The Republic of Alba was created in 1796 as a French client republic in Piedmont. A new client republic, the Piedmontese Republic, existed between 1798 and 1799 before it was reoccupied by Austrian and Russian troops. In June 1800 a third client republic, the Subalpine Republic, was established in Piedmont. It fell under full French control in 1801 and it was annexed by France in September 1802. In the congress of Vienna, the Kingdom of Sardinia was restored, and furthermore received the Republic of Genoa to strengthen it as a barrier against France. Piedmont was a springboard for Italy’s unification in 1859–1861, following earlier unsuccessful wars against the Austrian Empire in 1820–1821[citation needed]and 1848–1849. This process is sometimes referred to as Piedmontisation.[6]However, the efforts were later countered by the efforts of rural farmers.[7][8] The House of Savoy became Kings of Italy, and Turin briefly became the capital of Italy. However, when the Italian capital was moved to Florence, and then to Rome, the administrative and institutional importance of Piedmont was deeply reduced and the only remaining recognition to Piedmont’s historical role was that the crown prince of Italy was known as the Prince of Piedmont. After Italian unification, Piedmont was one of the most important regions in the first Italian industrialization.[9] From Wikipedia

Phil Apollo interviews author, podcaster and blogger Bob Sorrentino about his new book “Farmers and Nobles”. Farmers and Nobles traces the research path of blogger and podcast host Bob Sorrentino. Bob began researching his family roots in 2008 beginning with his great-grandfather’s calling card brought from Italy by his paternal grandmother Maria Luigia Piromallo. In 2018, he decided to share his experiences in a blog and in 2020 created his podcast Italian Roots and Genealogy. ​Bob firmly believes that our ancestors want to be found and shares fascinating stories from others who believe the same. ​Bob gives us glimpse into his two Italian-American families and how their lives in America were very similar, although centuries ago the families came from two very different socio-economic classes in Italy. ​While his mother came from farmers from Toritto, Bari, his father came from gentry and nobility from Naples. Bob traces back these noble roots to the kings and queens of Western Europe. While it is true that millions can trace back, Bob explains how one small piece of evidence can open up the door to centuries of family history. ​Farmers and Nobles has stories from both families, culminating with a “rooting trip” to Italy in 2022. Farmers and Nobles traces the research path of blogger and podcast host Bob Sorrentino. Bob began researching his family roots in 2008 beginning with his great-grandfather’s calling card brought from Italy by his paternal grandmother Maria Luigia Piromallo. https://www.italiangenealogy.blog/farmers-and-nobles/ Visit Our Shop Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video